System and method for maintaining distributor loyalty
First Claim
1. A method for use by a first entity to benefit a second entity in the operation of an e-commerce enabled web site, the method comprising the steps of:
- allowing a user of the e-commerce enabled web site to select at least one of a product and a service for purchase;
selecting a second entity; and
providing a benefit to the second entity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and computer software product for use by a manufacturer to offset a loss of one or more of the manufacturer'"'"'s distributors caused by a displacing a distributor'"'"'s sale when the manufacturer operates an e-commerce enabled web site that sells products directly to consumers. The distributor is compensated in response to be identified by the consumer as where the consumer would have bought the product if the product was not directly available from the manufacturer. The user'"'"'s participation in selecting a distributor can be optional or mandatory. If optional, the user may be compensated for participating. The list of distributors presented to the user is based on equitable selection method so that one distributor is not favored over the others.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for use by a first entity to benefit a second entity in the operation of an e-commerce enabled web site, the method comprising the steps of:
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allowing a user of the e-commerce enabled web site to select at least one of a product and a service for purchase;
selecting a second entity; and
providing a benefit to the second entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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9. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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11. (canceled)
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12. (canceled)
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22. A method for use by a first entity to offset a loss of a second entity in the operation of an e-commerce enabled web site, the method comprising the steps of:
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allowing a user of the e-commerce enabled web site to select at least one of a product and a service for purchase;
prompting the user to select a second entity from a second entity list;
compensating the user for selecting a second entity; and
compensating the second entity. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. (canceled)
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28. (canceled)
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29. A method for use by a first entity to offset a loss of a second entity in the operation of an e-commerce enabled web site by the first entity, the method comprising the steps of:
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allowing a user of the e-commerce enabled web site to select at least one of a product and a service for purchase;
prompting the user to select a second entity from a second entity list, the second entities on the second entity list being one or both of included and ranked on the list according to incentives provided by the second entity to the first entity;
compensating the second entity. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. (canceled)
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32. (canceled)
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33. A computer software product for use by a first entity to offset a loss of a second entity in the operation of an e-commerce enabled web site, the computer software product having machine executable code configured for:
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allowing a user of an e-commerce enabled web site to select at least one of a product and a service for purchase;
during a checkout process for the at least one product, prompting the user to select a second entity from a second entity list; and
compensating the second entity.
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Specification